Many people are familiar with the concept that love can be shown and received through food. This type of love can be shown when your grandma comforts you with her homemade cookies; making you feel warmth as the rich and gooey taste melts in your mouth, or even when your sister shared her last french fry with you, even though she wanted it maybe just a little bit more than you. Love is simply the medicine you can never get enough of.
At Norwich Free Academy, some students are receiving love and comfort – not through food, but through a dog named Sonney, who serves as a therapy Dog with School Social Worker Mary Ann McComiskey.
Therapy dogs were first used in the United States during World War II, helping people cope with the fear and anxiety that were rampant during that period. In the 1990s schools around the country started using therapy dogs as a resource to help soothe the nerves of students and staff. In fact, Veterinarian Ruth Roberts once said “Sometimes the best medicine is a dog that thinks their love can cure you.”
With that in mind, McComiskey started the process of getting Sonney, a labrador mix, certified as a therapy dog. He underwent vigorous training which included registering as “K9 Citizen” with the American Kennel Club, training courses, an internship, and a “test” that Sonney passed “with flying colors.”
And in 2020, he made his debut at NFA, though his working career was quickly put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“He started in February and school closed down in March for the pandemic, so we had a very enthusiastic welcome for a month and then we were out for like four months, but come September he started back up again and he’s been coming ever since.” McComiskey said.
Of course, with Sonney’s bright return, his presence and excitement throughout the hallways of Bradlaw Building brought contagious smiles and early morning visits to his dog den every Tuesday and Thursday.
“Students will often come to my room when he’s here on Tuesday and Thursday, and say hi and visit, we try to be out in the hallways when classes are changing.”
In fact, Sonney’s very identity is closely-linked with the NFA student body.
“We actually had a naming contest for him with all of the students, and we had some excellent choices,” McComiskey said.
“But the majority of the students decided that they wanted him to keep his name (as Sonney)… I find so many students respond to that name,” she added.
“They say things like ‘Well I could use a little sun today,’ so I think his name is very appropriate for him and I think the students love him,” McComiskey said.
Sonney has also shown an ability to help students and staff in unexpected ways, McComiskey says.
“He’s got some sort of superpowers as well!” she noted. One day, when two students got into a “heated disagreement,” Sonney “went in between the two students and backed them away from each other; he kind of looked at one and looked at the other and the students just completely focused on Sonney then and not on whatever the disagreement was” McComiskey said.
Zane Ricciutti, NFA Lower (sophomore) is very appreciative of the services Sonney offers. “I love (having a therapy dog on campus) because my aunt (is) a dog person. She does fostering. I love dogs. He’s also a good dog for autistic kids like me… he’s a really good dog.”
Living up to his name, Sonney helps students who are having a bad day or going through challenging times put a smile on their face and feel a contagious sense of joy.